The MetroStars announced today that the team has signed forward Darin Lewis, a native of Trinidad who led the University of Connecticut to the 2000 NCAA championship and played last season for the A-League's Portland Timbers, as their third senior international player.

"Darin is a tremendous offensive talent who helps provide us with yet one more dangerous option in our attack, and gives us more depth on our front line than we've ever had in our team's history," said Nick Sakiewicz. "And most importantly, he's a finisher."

The 25-year-old Lewis, a native of Tunapuna, Trinidad, was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player at the 2000 NCAA College Cup after leading Connecticut to the national title, scoring the second goal in their decisive 2-0 championship win over Creighton. Lewis also led the Huskies to the NCAA semifinals as a junior, one year after transferring in from national junior college powerhouse Mercer County (NJ) College, whom he had led to two straight national JUCO final fours in 1997 and 1998.

In two years at Connectictut, Lewis tallied 60 points (21 goals, 18 assists) in 49 total games.